Wiring structure and display device including the same

ABSTRACT

There is provided a wiring structure comprising a board, which includes a connection pattern, and a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs). Each of the flexible printed circuit boards includes test patterns connected to the connection pattern. The test patterns included in each of the FPCBs are connected to each other by the connection pattern.

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2012-0147495 filed on Dec. 17, 2012 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wiring structure and a display deviceincluding the same, and more particularly, to a wiring structure and adisplay device, both including flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs).

2. Description of the Related Art

A flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) may be formed by printingconductive wiring patterns on a flexible insulating film. Beingflexible, the FPCB can connect electronic devices including other boardswithout structural restrictions. Therefore, the FPCB is used in variouselectronic products. In particular, a display device may include theFPCB to reduce its size. In the display device, the FPCB may connect adisplay panel to a board in which devices for driving the display panelare disposed. Alternatively, the devices for driving the display panelmay be disposed on the FPCB, and the FPCB may be connected to thedisplay panel.

The thickness of the FPCB is limited so that the FPCB can maintainflexibility. Therefore, the FPCB may have low mechanical strength and islikely to be damaged, for example, torn. When the FPCB is torn, wiringpatterns formed in the FPCB may be damaged, causing a wiring defect. Inaddition, the FPCB may be connected to other electronic devices by ananisotropic conductive film (ACF). If the FPCB is connected to otherelectronic devices by the ACF, it is difficult to judge a connectiondefect between the FPCB and other electronic devices with the naked eye.

A wiring defect can occur in a wring structure including an FPCB, and itmay be difficult to detect the wiring defect. In addition, a pluralityof FPCBs can be connected to one board. In this case, it may take a lotof time to test each of the FPCBs for wiring defects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention provide a wiring structure whose wiringdefects can be detected easily.

Aspects of the present invention also provide a wiring structure whichcan be tested for wiring defects in a reduced time.

Aspects of the present invention also provide a display device whosewiring defects can be detected easily.

Aspects of the present invention also provide a display device which canbe tested for wiring defects in a reduced time.

However, aspects of the present invention are not restricted to the oneset forth herein. The above and other aspects of the present inventionwill become more apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to whichthe present invention pertains by referencing the detailed descriptionof the present invention given below.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided awiring structure comprising a board, which comprises a connectionpattern, and a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs).Each of the flexible printed circuit boards comprises test patternsconnected to the connection pattern. The test patterns included in eachof the FPCBs are connected to each other by the connection pattern.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda wiring structure comprising a first board, which comprises a firstconnection pattern, a plurality of flexible printed circuit boardsconnected to the first board, with each of the flexible printed circuitboards comprising test patterns connected to the connection pattern, anda second board connected to the flexible printed circuit boards andcomprising a second connection pattern connected to the test patterns.The test patterns included in each of the flexible printed circuitboards are connected to each other by the first connection pattern andthe second connection pattern.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda display device comprising a display panel, a plurality of flexibleprinted circuit boards connected to the display panel, with each of theflexible printed circuit boards comprising test patterns, and a printedcircuit board (PCB) connected to the flexible printed circuit boards andcomprising a first connection pattern which is connected to the testpatterns. The test patterns included in each of the flexible printedcircuit boards are connected to each other by the first connectionpattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and features of the present invention willbecome more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a wiring structure according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) ina region A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a board in the region A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a wiring structure according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI′ of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a first FPCB shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a first board in a region B of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a second board in a region C of FIG. 5;and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a display device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods ofaccomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description of preferred embodiments and theaccompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodiedin many different forms and should not be construed as being limited tothe embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are providedso that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fullyconvey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art, and thepresent invention will only be defined by the appended claims. Thus, insome embodiments, well-known structures and devices are not shown inorder not to obscure the description of the invention with unnecessarydetail. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the drawings,the thickness of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” or “connected to” another element or layer, it can bedirectly on or connected to the other element or layer or interveningelements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being “directly on” or “directly connected to” anotherelement or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another element. Thus, for example, a first element, afirst component or a first section discussed below could be termed asecond element, a second component or a second section without departingfrom the teachings of the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “below,” “beneath,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a wiring structure 1 according to an embodimentof the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the wiring structure 1includes a board 10 and a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards(FPCBs) 20.

The board 10 may be, but is not limited to, a rigid PCB. The board 10includes a connection pattern 11. The connection pattern 11 may beconnected to test patterns 21 included in the FPCBs 20. The connectionpattern 11 may connect the test patterns 21 to each other. For example,the test patterns 21 may include a first test pattern 21 a and a secondtest pattern 21 b which are separated from each other. The connectionpattern 11 may connect the first test pattern 21 a and the second testpattern 21 b included in one FPCB 20 or may connect the first testpattern 21 a included in one FPCB 20 to the second test pattern 21 bincluded in another FPCB 20 adjacent to the FPCB 20. The connectionpattern 11 may connect the test patterns 21 included in each of theFPCBs 20. Since the connection pattern 11 is connected to the testpatterns 21 included in each of the FPCBs 20, the connection pattern 11and the test patterns 21 may form one conductive line. Therefore, awiring defect in any one of the FPCBs 20 can be detected by measuringthe resistance between an end of the conductive line formed by theconnection pattern 11 and the test patterns 21 and the other end of theconductive line. That is, in the wiring structure 1 according to thecurrent embodiment, wiring defects can be detected by one test.Therefore, the time required to test the wiring structure 1 for wiringdefects can be reduced. This will be described in more detail later.

The connection pattern 11 may include a first end portion 11 a, a secondend portion 11 d, a first connection portion 11 b, and a secondconnection portion 11 c.

An end of the first end portion 11 a may be connected to a test pattern21, and the other end of the first end portion 11 a may be open. Morespecifically, an end of the first end portion 11 a may be connected tothe first test pattern 21 a. The first end portion 11 a may include atest pad TP. The test pad TP included in the first end portion 11 a maybe disposed adjacent to the other end of the first end portion 11 a.However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Although notshown in the drawing, the board 10 may further include an insulatinglayer disposed on the connection pattern 11. The insulating layer maynot be disposed on the test pad TP, thus exposing a corresponding regionof the connection pattern 11. The test pad TP may be formed by expandinga width of the connection pattern 11.

An end of the second end portion 11 d may be connected to a test pattern21, and the other end of the second end portion 11 d may be open. Morespecifically, an end of the second end portion 11 d may be connected tothe second test pattern 21 b. The second end portion 11 d may include atest pad TP.

The first end portion 11 a and the second end portion 11 d mayrespectively correspond to both ends of one conductive line formed bythe connection pattern 11 and the test patterns 21. Therefore, wiringdefects between all FPCBs 20 and the board 10 can be detected bymeasuring the resistance between the test pad TP included in the firstend portion 11 a and the test pad TP included in the second end portion11 b.

The first connection portion 11 b may connect the test patterns 21included in each of the FPCBs 20. For example, the first connectionportion 11 b may connect the first test pattern 21 a to the second testpattern 21 b included in one of the FPCBs 20. The first connectionportion 11 b may include test pads TP. In FIG. 1, one first connectionportion 11 b includes two test pads TP. However, the present inventionis not limited thereto.

The second connection portion 11 c may connect the test patterns 21included in two of the FPCBs 20. For example, the second connectionportion 11 c may connect the first test pattern 21 a included in one ofthe FPCBs 20 to the second test pattern 21 b included in another FPCB20. The second connection portion 11 c may include test pads TP. In FIG.1, one second connection portion 11 c includes two test pads TP.However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The FPCBs 20 are connected to the board 10. In FIG. 1, the FPCBs 20include first through n^(th) FPCBs 20_1 through 20_n. However, thenumber of the FPCBs 20 is not limited. The FPCBs 20 may be made of aflexible material and can be bent or curved.

Each of the FPCBs 20 includes the test patterns 21. The test patterns 21are connected to the connection pattern 11. The test patterns 21included in the FPCBs 20 may be connected to each other by theconnection pattern 11. Since the test patterns 21 included in the FPCBs20 are connected to each other by the connection pattern 11, the testpatterns 21 and the connection pattern 11 may form one conductive line.Therefore, defects in the wiring structure 1 can be easily detected bymeasuring the resistance between both ends of the conductive line.

The test patterns 21 may include the first test pattern 21 a and thesecond test pattern 21 b. The first test pattern 21 a and the secondtest pattern 21 b may be separated from each other. For example, thefirst test pattern 21 a and the second test pattern 21 b may be disposedadjacent to each other on a side of each FPCB 20. In this case, thefirst test pattern 21 a may be disposed adjacent to an end of the sideof the FPCB 20, and the second test pattern 21 b may be disposedadjacent to the other end of the side of the FPCB 20. In the case wherethe first test pattern 21 a and the second test pattern 21 b aredisposed adjacent to both ends of the side of the FPCB 20, if the FPCB20 is torn from a side adjacent to the side of the FPCB 20, the firsttest pattern 21 a or the second test pattern 21 b may be damaged.Therefore, whether the FPCB 20 has been torn can be detected easily.

The wiring structure 1 will now be described in more detail withreference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along theline II-II′ of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the board 10 may include a first substrate 12 and afirst wiring layer 13. The first substrate 12 may support other elementsof the board 10. The first substrate 12 may be made of an insulatingmaterial. For example, the first substrate 12 may be made of, but notlimited to, synthetic resin (such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET),polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyethersulfone (PES) and polycarbonate(PC)), glass, or silicon.

The first wiring layer 13 may be disposed on the first substrate 12. Thefirst wiring layer 13 may be made of a conductive material. The firstwiring layer 13 may include the connection pattern 11. The first wiringlayer 13 may include other wiring patterns in addition to the connectionpattern 11. For example, the first wiring layer 13 may include wiringpatterns for exchanging signals with the FPCBs 20.

The FPCBs 20 may be placed on the board 10. At least a portion of eachof the FPCBs 20 may overlap the board 10. Each of the FPCBs 20 mayinclude a second substrate 22 and a second wiring layer 23. The secondsubstrate 22 may be made of a flexible insulating material. To make thesecond substrate 22 have flexibility, a thickness of the secondsubstrate 22 may be limited. The second substrate 22 may be made of, butnot limited to, synthetic resin such as PET, PMMA, PES and PC.

The second wiring layer 23 may be disposed on the second substrate 22.The second wiring layer 23 may be disposed on a bottom surface of thesecond substrate 22. At least a region of the second wiring layer 23 mayoverlap the first wiring layer 13. The second wiring layer 23 mayinclude the test patterns 21. The second wiring layer 23 may includeother wiring patterns in addition to the test patterns 21. For example,the second wiring layer 23 may include wiring patterns for exchangingsignals with the board 10.

The wiring structure 1 may further include an anisotropic conductivefilm (ACF) 30. The ACF 30 may be interposed between the board 10 andeach of the FPCBs 20. The ACF 30 may electrically connect the board 10to each of the FPCBs 20. The ACF 30 may connect the first wiring layer13 and the second wiring layer 23 to each other. The ACF 30 may includea plurality of conductive particles that are distributed. The conductiveparticles may be connected to each other by the pressure applied to theACF 30 by the board 10 and each of the FPCBs 20, thereby electricallyconnecting the first wiring layer 13 and the second wiring layer 23. Theconnection pattern 11 and the test patterns 21 may be connected to eachother by the ACF 30. It is difficult to check, with the naked eye,whether the first wiring layer 13 and the second wiring layer 23 areconnected properly by the ACF 30. However, in the wiring structure 1according to the current embodiment, wiring defects can be detectedeasily by measuring the resistance between both ends of one conductiveline formed by the test patterns 21 and the connection pattern 11.Therefore, whether the first wiring layer 13 and the second wiring layer23 are connected properly by the ACF 30 can also be detected easily.

The FPCBs 20 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG.3. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a FPCB 20 in a region A of FIG. 1.While only the first FPCB 20_1 is shown in FIG. 3, descriptions of thesecond through n^(th) FPCBs 20_2 through 20_n may be substantiallyidentical to a description of the first FPCB 20_1. FIG. 3 may be abottom view of the first FPCB 20_1 reversed horizontally for ease ofdescription.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first FPCB 20_1 may include a plurality offirst connection pads CP1. The first connection pads CP1 may be includedin the second wiring layer 23. The first connection pads CP1 may overlapthe first wiring layer 13, more specifically, a plurality of secondconnection pads CP2 (shown in FIG. 4) which will be described later. Thefirst connection pads CP1 may be connected to the second connection padsCP2, respectively. The first connection pads CP1 may be connectedrespectively to the second connection pads CP2 by the ACF 30. The firstconnection pads CP1 may be formed adjacent to a side 24 of the firstFPCB 20_1.

The first test pattern 21 a may be disposed adjacent to an end of theside 24 of the first FPCB 20_1. The first test pattern 21 a may connecttwo first connection pads CP1 disposed adjacent to the end of the side24 of the first FPCB 20_1. The two first connection pads CP1 connectedby the first test pattern 21 a may be first connection pads CP1 disposedmost adjacent to the end of the side 24 from among the first connectionpads CP disposed adjacent to the both sides 24 of the first FPCB 20_1.

The second test pattern 21 b may be disposed adjacent to the other endof the side 24 of the first FPCB 20_1. The second test pattern 21 b mayconnect two first connection pads CP1 disposed adjacent to the other endof the side 24 of the first FPCB 20_1. The two first connection pads CP1connected by the second test pattern 21 b may be first connection padsCP1 disposed most adjacent to the other end of the side 24 from amongthe first connection pads CP disposed adjacent to the side 24 of thefirst FPCB 20_1.

In a case where the first test pattern 21 a and the second test pattern21 b connect the first connection pads CP1 disposed adjacent to bothends of the side 24 of the first FPCB 20_1, if first connection pads CP1disposed between the first connection pads CP1 which are connected bythe first test pattern 21 a and the second test pattern 21 b are notaligned properly with corresponding second connection pads CP2, thefirst connection pads CP1 connected to the first test pattern 21 a orthe second test pattern 21 b may also not be aligned properly withcorresponding second connection pads CP2. In this case, wiring defectscan be detected by measuring the resistance between both ends of aconductive line formed by the test patterns 21 and the connectionpattern 11.

The board 10 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG.4. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the board 10 in the region A of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, the board 10 may include the second connection padsCP2. The second connection pads CP2 may be included in the first wiringlayer 13. The second connection pads CP2 may be overlapped by the secondwiring layer 23, more specifically, the first connection pads CP1. Thesecond connection pads CP2 may be disposed at positions corresponding tothe first connection pads CP1. The second connection pads CP2 may beconnected to the first connection pads CP1, respectively. The first endportion 11 a may be connected to a second connection pad CP2 whichcorresponds to the first connection pad CP1 connected to the first testpattern 21 a of the first FPCB 20_1. The first connection portion 11 bmay be connected to a second connection pad CP2 which corresponds to thefirst connection pad CP1 connected to the first test pattern 21 a of thefirst FPCB 20_1 and a second connection pad CP2 which corresponds to thefirst connection pad CP1 connected to the second test pattern 21 b. Thesecond connection portion 11 c may be connected to a second connectionpad CP2 which corresponds to the first connection pad CP1 connected tothe second test pattern 21 b of the first FPCB 20_1 and, although notshown in the drawing, a second connection pad CP2 which corresponds tothe first connection pad CP1 connected to the first test pattern 21 a ofthe second FPCB 20_2.

Another embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a wiring structure 2according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the wiring structure 2 includes a first board 110,a second board 140, and a plurality of FPCBs 120.

The first board 110 includes a first connection pattern 111. The firstconnection pattern 111 may be connected to test patterns 121 included inthe FPCBs 120. The first connection pattern 111 may connect the testpatterns 121 of the FPCBs 120 to each other. The connection pattern 111may connect the test patterns 121 included in one FPCB 120 or connect atest pattern 121 included in one FPCB 120 to a test pattern 121 includedin another FPCB 120. The first connection pattern 111 may be connectedto a second connection pattern 141 and the test patterns 121 of theFPCBs 120, thereby forming one conductive line. When any one of theFPCBs 120 has a wiring defect, it can be detected by measuring theresistance between both ends of the conductive line formed by the firstconnection pattern 111, the second connection pattern 141, and the testpatterns 121. Therefore, the time required to test the wiring structure2 of the present invention for wiring defects can be reduced.

The first connection pattern 111 may include a first end portion 111 a,a second end portion 111 d, a first connection portion 111 b, and asecond connection portion 111 c.

An end of the first end portion 111 a may be connected to a test pattern121, and the other end of the first end portion 111 a may be open. Thefirst end portion 111 a may include a test pad TP. The test pad TPincluded in the first end portion 111 a may be disposed adjacent to theother end of the first end portion 111 a. However, the present inventionis not limited thereto. An end of the second end portion 111 d may beconnected to a test pattern 121, and the other end of the second endportion 111 d may be open. The second end portion 111 d may include atest pad TP.

The first end portion 111 a and the second end portion 111 d mayrespectively correspond to both ends of one conductive line formed bythe connection pattern 111, the second connection pattern 141 and thetest patterns 121. Therefore, wiring defects between all FPCBs 120, thefirst board 110 and the second board 140 can be detected by measuringthe resistance between the test pad TP included in the first end portion111 a and the test pad TP included in the second end portion 111 b.

The first connection portion 111 b may connect the test patterns 121included in one of the FPCBs 120. The second connection portion 111 cmay connect the test patterns 121 included in two of the FPCBs 120.

The FPCBs 120 are connected to the first board 110 and the second board140. The FPCBs 120 may include first through n^(th) FPCBs 120_1 through120_n. Each of the FPCBs 120 includes the test patterns 121. The testpatterns 121 are connected to the first connection pattern 111 and thesecond connection pattern 141. The test patterns 121 included in theFPCBs 120 may be connected to each other by the first connection pattern111 and the second connection pattern 141.

The test patterns 121 may include first through fourth test patterns 121a through 121 d. The first through fourth test patterns 121 a through121 d may be arranged sequentially. The first test pattern 121 a and thesecond test pattern 121 b may be disposed adjacent to each other. Thethird test pattern 121 c and the fourth test pattern 121 d may bedisposed adjacent to each other. The first test pattern 121 a and thesecond test pattern 121 b may be connected to each other by the secondconnection pattern 141. The second test pattern 121 b and the third testpattern 121 c may be connected to each other by the first connectionportion 111 b. The third test pattern 121 c and the fourth test pattern121 d may be connected to each other by the second connection pattern141. The fourth test pattern 121 d included in one FPCB 120 may beconnected to the first test pattern 121 a included in another adjacentFPCB 120 by the second connection portion 111 c or may be connected tothe second end portion 111 d. The first test pattern 121 a included inone FPCB 120 may be connected to the fourth test pattern 121 d includedin another adjacent FPCB 120 by the second connection portion 111 c ormay be connected to the first end portion 111 a.

The first test pattern 121 a may be disposed adjacent to one of twosides of each FPCB 120 which do not overlap the first board 110 or thesecond board 140, and the fourth test pattern 121 d may be disposedadjacent to the other one of the two sides of the FPCB 120. The twosides of the FPCB 120 which do not overlap the first board 110 or thesecond board 140 can be torn. In this case, the first test pattern 121 aor the fourth test pattern 121 d is damaged. Therefore, the damage tothe FPCB 120 can be detected easily.

The second board 140 is connected to the FPCBs 120. The second board 140includes the second connection pattern 141. The second connectionpattern 141 may connect the test patterns 121 to each other. Morespecifically, the second connection pattern 141 may connect the testpatterns 121 included in one of the FPCBs 120.

The second connection pattern 141 may include a third connection portion141 a and a fourth connection portion 141 b. The third connectionportion 141 a may connect the first test pattern 121 a and the secondtest pattern 121 b to each other. The fourth connection portion 141 bmay connect the third test pattern 121 c and the fourth test pattern 121d to each other.

As described above, one conductive line formed by the first connectionpattern 111, the second connection pattern 141 and the test patterns 121passes through the first board 110, the FPCBs 120, and the second board140. Therefore, wiring defects between the first board 110 and the FPCBs120 and wiring defects between the FPCBs 120 and the second board 140can be detected at a time by measuring the resistance between both endsof the conductive line.

The wiring structure 2 will now be described in more detail withreference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along theline VI-VI′ of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first board 110 may include a first substrate112 and a first wiring layer 113. The first wiring layer 113 may includethe first connection pattern 111. The first wiring layer 113 may includeother wiring patterns in addition to the first connection pattern 111.For example, the first wiring layer 113 may include wiring patterns forexchanging signals with the FPCBs 120.

The FPCBs 120 may be placed on the first board 110 and the second board140. At least a portion of each of the FPCBs 120 may overlap the firstboard 110 and the second board 140. Each of the FPCBs 120 may include asecond substrate 122 and a second wiring layer 123.

At least a region of the second wiring layer 123 may overlap the firstwiring layer 113 and a third wiring layer 143 which will be describedlater. The second wiring layer 123 may include the test patterns 121.The second wiring layer 123 may include other wiring patterns inaddition to the test patterns 121. For example, the second wiring layer123 may include wiring patterns for exchanging signals with the firstboard 110 and the second board 140.

The second board 140 may be overlapped by at least a portion of each ofthe FPCBs 120. The second board 140 may include a third substrate 142and the third wiring layer 143. The third wiring layer 143 may includethe second connection pattern 141. The third wiring layer 143 mayinclude other wiring patterns in addition to the second connectionpattern 141. For example, the third wiring layer 143 may include wiringpatterns for exchanging signals with the FPCBs 120.

The wiring structure 2 may further include an ACF 130. The ACF 130 maybe interposed between the first board 110 and each of the FPCBs 120 andbetween the second board 140 and each of the FPCBs 120. The ACF 130 mayelectrically connect the first board 110 to each of the FPCBs 120 andmay electrically connect the second board 140 to each of the FPCBs 120.The ACF 130 may connect the first wiring layer 113, the second wiringlayer 123, and the third wiring layer 143 to each other.

The FPCBs 120 will now be described in more detail with reference toFIG. 7. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the first FPCB 120_1 shown in FIG.5. While only the first FPCB 120_1 is shown in FIG. 7, descriptions ofthe second through nth FPCBs 120_2 through 120_n may be substantiallyidentical to a description of the first FPCB 120_1. FIG. 7 may be abottom view of the first FPCB 120_1 reversed horizontally for ease ofdescription.

Referring to FIG. 7, the first FPCB 120_1 may include a plurality offirst connection pads CP1 and a plurality of third connection pads CP3.The first connection pads CP1 may be disposed adjacent to a side of thefirst FPCB 120_1 which overlaps the first board 110. The firstconnection pads CP1 may be included in the second wiring layer 123. Thefirst connection pads CP1 may overlap the first wiring layer 113, morespecifically, a plurality of second connection pads CP2 which will bedescribed later. The first connection pads CP1 may be connected to thesecond connection pads CP2, respectively.

The third connection pads CP3 may be disposed adjacent to a side of thefirst FPCB 120_1 which overlaps the second board 140. The thirdconnection pads CP3 may be included in the second wiring layer 123. Thethird connection pads CP3 may overlap the third wiring layer 143, morespecifically, a plurality of fourth connection pads CP4 (shown in FIG.9) which will be described later. The third connection pads CP3 may beconnected to the fourth connection pads CP4, respectively.

The first test pattern 121 a and the second test pattern 121 b mayconnect the first connection pads CP1 and the third connection pads CP3which are disposed adjacent to one (hereinafter, referred to as a firstside) of two sides of the first FPCB 120_1 which do not overlap thefirst board 110 and the second board 140. The first connection pad CP1connected to the first test pattern 121 a may be a first connection padCP most adjacent to the first side from among the first connection padsCP1. The first connection pad CP1 connected to the second test pattern121 a may be a first connection pad CP1 neighboring the first connectionpad CP1 connected to the first test pattern 121 a. The third connectionpad CP3 connected to the first test pattern 121 a may be a thirdconnection pad CP3 most adjacent to the first side from among the thirdconnection pads CP3. The third connection pad CP3 connected to thesecond test pattern 121 a may be a third connection pad CP3 neighboringthe third connection pad CP3 connected to the first test pattern 121 a.

The third test pattern 121 c and the fourth test pattern 121 d mayconnect the first connection pads CP1 and the third connection pads CP3which are disposed adjacent to the other one (hereinafter, referred toas a second side which is opposite the first side to which the firsttest pattern 121 a and the second test pattern 121 b are disposedadjacent) of the two sides of the first FPCB 120_1 which do not overlapthe first board 110 and the second board 140. The first connection padCP1 connected to the fourth test pattern 121 d may be a first connectionpad CP1 most adjacent to the second side from among the first connectionpads CP1. The first connection pad CP1 connected to the third testpattern 121 c may be a first connection pad CP1 neighboring the firstconnection pad CP1 connected to the fourth test pattern 121 d. The thirdconnection pad CP3 connected to the fourth test pattern 121 d may be athird connection pad CP3 most adjacent to the second side from among thethird connection pads CP3. The third connection pad CP3 connected to thethird test pattern 121 c may be a third connection pad CP3 neighboringthe third connection pad CP3 connected to the fourth test pattern 121 d.

The first board 110 will now be described in more detail with referenceto FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the first board 110 in a regionB of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 8, the first board 110 may include the secondconnection pads CP2. The second connection pads CP2 may be included inthe first wiring layer 113. The second connection pads CP2 may beoverlapped by the second wiring layer 123, more specifically, the firstconnection pads CP1. The second connection pads CP2 may be disposed atpositions corresponding to the first connection pads CP1. The secondconnection pads CP2 may be connected to the first connection pads CP1,respectively. The first end portion 111 a may be connected to a secondconnection pad CP2 which corresponds to the first connection pad CP1connected to the first test pattern 121 a of the first FPCB 120_1. Thefirst connection portion 111 b may be connected to a second connectionpad CP2 which corresponds to the first connection pad CP1 connected tothe second test pattern 121 b of the first FPCB 120_1 and a secondconnection pad CP2 which corresponds to the first connection pad CP1connected to the third test pattern 121 c. The second connection portion111 c may be connected to a second connection pad CP2 which correspondsto the first connection pad CP1 connected to the fourth test pattern 121d of the first FPCB 120_1 and, although not shown in the drawing, asecond connection pad CP2 which corresponds to the first connection padCP1 connected to the first test pattern 121 a of the second FPCB 120_2.

The second board 140 will now be described in more detail with referenceto FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the second board 140 in aregion C of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 9, the second board 140 may include the fourthconnection pads CP4. The fourth connection pads CP4 may be included inthe third wiring layer 143. The fourth connection pads CP4 may beoverlapped by the second wiring layer 123, more specifically, the thirdconnection pads CP3. The third connection portion 141 a may be connectedto a fourth connection pad CP4 which corresponds to the third connectionpad CP3 connected to the first test pattern 121 a of the first FPCB120_1 and a fourth connection pad CP4 which corresponds to the thirdconnection pad CP3 connected to the second test pattern 121 b. Thefourth connection portion 141 b may be connected to a fourth connectionpad CP4 which corresponds to the third connection pad CP3 connected tothe third test pattern 121 c of the first FPCB 120_1 and, although notshown in the drawing, a fourth connection pad CP4 which corresponds tothe third connection pad CP3 connected to the fourth test pattern 121 d.

Another embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a display device3 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the display device 3 includes a PCB 210, aplurality of FPCBs 220, and a display panel 240.

The display panel 240 may vary according to the type of the displaydevice 3. For example, the display panel 240 may be, but is not limitedto, an organic electroluminescence display panel, a liquid crystaldisplay panel, an electrophoretic display panel, or a plasma displaypanel. The display panel 240 may be connected to the FPCBs 220. Thedisplay panel 240 may receive signals for driving the display panel 240through the FPCBs 220.

The FPCBs 220 may be connected to the display panel 240 and the PCB 210.The FPCBs 220 may function as a path for exchanging signals between thePCB 210 and the display panel 240. According to some embodiments,although not shown in the drawing, devices for driving the display panel240 may be disposed on the FPCBs 220.

The PCB 210 is connected to the FPCBs 220. The PCB 210 may generatesignals for driving the display panel 240 and transmit the generatedsignals to the display panel 240 through the FPCBs 220. The PCB 210 mayinclude devices (not shown) for driving the display panel 240.

Although not shown in the drawing, the display device 3 may furtherinclude an ACF. The ACF may be interposed between the FPCBs 220 and thePCB 210 and between the FPCBs 220 and the display panel 240, therebyelectrically connecting the FPCBs 220 to the PCB 210 and the displaypanel 240.

The display device 3 may include the wiring structure 1 of FIG. 1. Ifthe display device 3 includes the wiring structure 1 of FIG. 1, the PCB210 may correspond to the board 10 of the wiring structure 1, and theFPCBs 220 may correspond to the FPCBs 20 of the wiring structure 1.According to some embodiments, the display panel 240 may correspond tothe board 10 of the wiring structure 1, and the FPCBs 220 may correspondto the FPCBs 20 of the wiring structure 1.

According to another embodiment, the display device 3 may include thewiring structure 2 of FIG. 5. If the display device 3 includes thewiring structure 2 of FIG. 5, the PCB 210 may correspond to the firstboard 110 of the wiring structure 2, the FPCBs 220 may correspond to theFPCBs 120 of the wiring structure 2, and the display panel 240 maycorrespond to the second board 140. According to some embodiments, thePCB 210 may correspond to the second board 140 of the wiring structure2, the FPCBs 220 may correspond to the FPCBs 120 of the wiring structure2, and the display panel 240 may correspond to the first board 110.

While a case where the display device 3 includes the wiring structure 1of FIG. 1 or the wiring structure 2 of FIG. 5 has been described abovewith reference to FIG. 10, the wiring structure 1 of FIG. 1 and thewiring structure 2 of FIG. 5 are applicable to various electronicproducts other than display devices. For example, the wiring structure 1of FIG. 1 and the wiring structure 2 of FIG. 5 can be applied to anX-ray detector. If the X-ray detector includes the wiring structure 1 ofFIG. 1 or the wiring structure 2 of FIG. 5, an X-ray detection panel maycorrespond to the display panel 240 of the display device 3, a board fordriving the X-ray detection panel may correspond to the PCB 210 of thedisplay device 3, and a plurality of FPCBs which connect the X-raydetection panel and the board for driving the X-ray detection panel maycorrespond to the FPCBs 220 of the display device 3. The above casewhere the wiring structure 1 of FIG. 1 or the wiring structure 2 of FIG.5 is applied to the X-ray detector is merely an example.

Embodiments of the present invention provide at least one of thefollowing advantages. That is, wiring defects of a wiring structure or adisplay device including FPCBs can be detected easily. In addition, thetime required to test a wiring structure or a display device includingFPCBs for wiring defects can be reduced. However, the effects of thepresent invention are not restricted to the one set forth herein. Theabove and other effects of the present invention will become moreapparent to one of daily skill in the art to which the present inventionpertains by referencing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wiring structure comprising: a board comprisinga connection pattern; and a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards(FPCBs), each of the flexible printed circuit boards comprising testpatterns connected to the connection pattern, the test patterns includedin the each of the flexible printed circuit boards being connected toeach other by the connection pattern.
 2. The wiring structure of claim1, wherein the connection pattern comprises a second connection portionwhich connects the test patterns of one of the flexible printed circuitboards to the test patterns of another of the flexible printed circuitboards.
 3. The wiring structure of claim 2, wherein the first connectionportion comprises test pads.
 4. The wiring structure of claim 1, whereinthe test patterns comprise a first test pattern and a second testpattern which are separated from each other.
 5. The wiring structure ofclaim 4, wherein the connection pattern comprises a first connectionportion which connects the first test pattern and the second testpattern included in the same flexible printed circuit board.
 6. Thewiring structure of claim 4, wherein the first test pattern and thesecond test pattern are disposed adjacent to a side of each of theflexible printed circuit boards, wherein the first test pattern isdisposed adjacent to a first end of the side, and the second testpattern is disposed adjacent to a second end of the side.
 7. The wiringstructure of claim 6, wherein each of the flexible printed circuitboards comprises a plurality of connection pads disposed adjacent to theside, wherein the first test pattern connects two connection padsdisposed adjacent to the first end of the side, and the second testpattern connects two connection pads disposed adjacent to the second endof the side.
 8. The wiring structure of claim 1, further comprising ananisotropic conductive film (ACF) interposed between the board and eachof the flexible printed circuit boards.
 9. The wiring structure of claim1, wherein the connection pattern comprises first and second endportions, each having an end which is connected to a test pattern andthe other end which is open, wherein each of the first and second endportions comprises a test pad.
 10. A wiring structure comprising: afirst board comprising a first connection pattern; a plurality offlexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs) connected to the first board.each of the flexible printed circuit boards comprising test patternsconnected to the connection pattern; and a second board connected to theflexible printed circuit boards and comprising a second connectionpattern connected to the test patterns, the test patterns included inthe each of the flexible printed circuit boards being connected to eachother by the first connection pattern and the second connection pattern.11. The wiring structure of claim 10, wherein the first connectionpattern comprises a second connection portion which connects the testpatterns of one of the flexible printed circuit boards to the testpatterns of another of the flexible printed circuit boards.
 12. Thewiring structure of claim 10, wherein the test patterns comprise firstthrough fourth test patterns which are separated from each other and arearranged sequentially, wherein the first test pattern and the secondtest pattern are adjacent to each other, and the third test pattern andthe fourth test pattern are adjacent to each other.
 13. The wiringstructure of claim 12, wherein the second connection pattern connectsthe first test pattern to the second test pattern, and connects thethird test pattern to the fourth test pattern.
 14. The wiring structureof claim 12, wherein the first connection pattern comprises: a secondconnection portion which connects the first test pattern of one of theflexible printed circuit boards to the fourth test pattern of another ofthe flexible printed circuit boards; and a first connection portionwhich connects the second test pattern and the third test patternincluded in the same flexible printed circuit board.
 15. The wiringstructure of claim 10, further comprising an anisotropic conductive filminterposed between the first board and each of the flexible printedcircuit board and between the second board and each of the flexibleprinted circuit board.
 16. The wiring structure of claim 10, wherein thefirst connection pattern comprises first and second end portions, eachhaving an end which is connected to a test pattern and the other endwhich is open, wherein each of the first and second end portionscomprises a test pad.
 17. A display device comprising: a display panel;a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs) connected to thedisplay panel and each of the flexible printed circuit boards comprisingtest patterns; and a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to theflexible printed circuit boards and comprising a first connectionpattern which is connected to the test patterns, the test patternsincluded in the each of the flexible printed circuit boards beingconnected to each other by the first connection pattern.
 18. The displaydevice of claim 17, wherein the test patterns comprise a first testpattern and a second test pattern which are separated from each other,and the first connection pattern comprises: a second connection portionwhich connects the first test pattern of one of the flexible printedcircuit boards to the second test pattern of another of the flexibleprinted circuit boards; and a first connection portion which connectsthe first test pattern and the second test pattern included in the sameflexible printed circuit board.
 19. The display device of claim 17,wherein the display panel comprises a second connection patternconnected to the test patterns.
 20. The display device of claim 19,wherein the test patterns comprise first through fourth test patternswhich are separated from each other and are arranged sequentially,wherein the first test pattern and the second test pattern are adjacentto each other, and the third test pattern and the fourth test patternare adjacent to each other, the second connection pattern connects thefirst test pattern to the second test pattern, and connects the thirdtest pattern to the fourth test pattern, the first connection patterncomprising: a second connection portion which connects the first testpattern of one of the flexible printed circuit boards to the fourth testpattern of another of the flexible printed circuit boards; and a firstconnection portion which connects the second test pattern and the thirdtest pattern included in one flexible printed circuit boards.